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1.27.2014

Your Social Media Diet (How's That Working For You?)

If you're like me (if you're here- you are), you like your share of social media. However, if you really are like me (stop resisiting the admission), you will admit, that sometimes you overindulge.

The question is: how can we have our Social Media cake and eat it too?

Well, I have been contemplating this question, long and hard, between status updates, tweets, YouTube clips and Instagram moments, of course...and I think I have a few snippets of really useful somewhat practical tips to share.

We must admit we are powerless....

Wait, no. What I mean is, we must take hold of our Social Media behavior by the only thing it understands and responds to: Self-Control. Wait, don't click away...hear me out!

Grab your calendar, or the three of them if you have ADHD (like me). Now, write down the things that you know must ge done and the places you know you need to be. It's Sunday or Monday, depending when this posts, so go ahead and look at the week ahead. Take that pencil and whatever needs to get done, at this point, gets written down. OK, I'm waiting.

Now, those things that you also need to do concerning work, blogging, additional writing or creating.

Any other committments for church, friends and families birthdays, Sherlock etc. (or Downtown Abby, I suppose). If you're like me it's Sherlock, Baby!

OK, now...

Portion your allowable Time Blocks for Social Media and commit to ONLY partake of SM interaction at the designated times. Just as an exercise or nutrition plan has specific components and portions, so do our Social Media diets! But, let's use a user friendly term, Social Media plan of action.

If you're like me (give it up already, YOU ARE!), then you sometimes occasionally frequently get sidetracked by Social Media interaction. Remember, all things are acceptable (for legalists) but not always beneficial (all is filtered by grace and wisdom)...

So, what does one do?

Determine the details and portion it out across the week. How often, How much, How long.
Ask yourself, when will you allow yourself to use Social Media and the parimeters to which you want to adhere, just as if you were on a strict but wonderful (HA!) diet Nutritional Plan. So, perhaps you want to be on Social Media twice a day. Choose the times, and add them into your calendar. If you have SM apps on your phone you will need an extra measure of self-contol or just elimate them until you are feeling empowered to "just say no!"

A Social Media diet, puts you in the driver's seat. It is better than a complete fast if you want to continue sharing blog posts, pictures and also staying connected to certain friends and groups.

So, repeat after me, "My name is (your name in blank) __________________."

Hi, __________________________.

In real life I am always trying to balance my in person, and online life. If you're like me, you are too. I'm here for you. Well, in a portioned kind of way.

What do you think? Are you in need of a Social Media Diet? How can you plan your time in a way that helps you feel good about your choices with Social Media. Let's encourage and support one another! Do you have an idea or tip that helped you use more self control with your SM interaction? Please share in the comments!

For those of you who are like me, you proabably contemplate things a lot, and then come up with really snarky status updates and tweets while you are driving or in the shower. Sometimes you even dream in live streamed, edited video clips. Occasionally you come up with a ridiculous blog post masquerading as useful, when in reality is just one, incredibly silly endeavor. For no good reasun except...you can.

Happy Monday, Friends! May your week be full of tweet worthy moments, blessed status updates and picyure worthy instagram moments...of which you have the good sense to share or NOT share with discernment, sensitivity, and good humor.

13 comments:

The ADD is a problem in that I get hyper focused on whatever I'm doing (blogging, FB, games) but I've found that online is the one place and time I also exhibit OCC tendencies in that every time I think about walking away I have to check one more time for comments/likes/new posts/etc. Once in a while it will get so bad it drives ME nuts. lol I definitely need a social media diet.

YES! I have been on the same learning path my dear. The list making is really helping me each morning. Also the idea that a complete SM fast is just not reasonable or healthy is very true for me. Great post Dawn, very helpful and encouraging. Susie

This was very cute and so true! I love social media, blogging but I still work and have a real life. I need to allow myself designated times to have fun on Facebook. I have to admit "My name is Debbie and I love Facebook." I have friends from high school (which was more than 40 years ago), kids I grew up with on Long Island, relatives in all parts of the world including Norway and ...I love to connect with them. Much food for thought Dawn.

Super true, I have a time limit and I try to stick to it otherwise, It's like anything else, over indulging just isn't good.Great points, I am not much of a dieter but I try to create balance in all things in this little world of mine. (smile)